Aura of Laura: Classy Muir lights up Falkirk as Jamie wins fourth title
Rejuvenated Jamie Crowe savoured another Falkirk podium moment at the Lindsays National XC – then revealed he almost quit the sport last year.
The Central AC runner delivered a dominant Callender Park win for his fourth success in this event at Senior level.
It elevates Jamie to an exclusive group of men who have won the National XC title on four or more occasions.
But, as the 30-year-old looked ahead to further Falkirk challenges in years to come, he expressed his relief at rediscovering his motivation.
‘I did not have my best run here last year and for the couple of years before I had not been enjoying my running too much,’ said Jamie.
‘I seriously thought about quitting the sport. I was working full-time enjoying my teaching and doing some rugby coaching – I just did not feel all that motivated by athletics for a period.
‘Now I am happy I didn’t and stuck with it. Now it feels as if I have the buzz back and the motivation back. Hopefully I can have a good summer and avoid injury.’
Jamie on the podium at Falkirk with silver medallist Ben Potrykus and bronze medallist Finlay Ross-Davie (photo by Bobby Gavin)
Nat Muir famously won eight titles and Bobby Quinn won four. There ar ea couple of other names deep into the distant past with more than three wins.
‘I know the history of this event and what it means to be Senior champion,’ added Jamie.
‘That is maybe why I hate it in the week before because there is a build-up of stress.
‘My dad brought me up on stories of who had won three-in-a-row or who had won four titles or more.
‘There were some big names there from our sport. So happy to be in that kind of company.
‘It might have looked easy because I was ahead but the last lap was hard work to maintain the advantage I had built up. I was red-lining. There is a lot of quality and depth now and there are other guys who can win it.
‘But when you see the finish it’s a great feeling running in to win.’
Jamie spoke with proud coach Derek Easton immediately after the race with the pair hugely satisfied with team success, as well.
Jamie led home a lineup that also included Hamish Hickey (fourth); Aidan Thompson; Logan Beagley; Alastair Marshall; Calum Phillip.
All six counters were inside the top 25 as the #yellowtrain once again delivered a quite brilliant team effort that says everything about their dedication and consistency.
For Central AC, 15 (in-a-row) is now a magic number . . .
Photo by Bobby Gavin
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Tags:
Central AC, Falkirk, Jamie Crowe, Lindsays National XC